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. 1995 Nov 11;311(7015):1255–1259. doi: 10.1136/bmj.311.7015.1255

Changes in population cholesterol concentrations and other cardiovascular risk factor levels after five years of the non-communicable disease intervention programme in Mauritius. Mauritius Non-communicable Disease Study Group.

G K Dowse 1, H Gareeboo 1, K G Alberti 1, P Zimmet 1, J Tuomilehto 1, A Purran 1, D Fareed 1, P Chitson 1, V R Collins 1
PMCID: PMC2551180  PMID: 7496233

Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To study changes in the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease after a five year population-wide intervention programme promoting a healthy lifestyle in a developing country. DESIGN--Cross sectional cluster surveys in 1987 and 1992. Methodology included a two hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, measurement of body mass index, waist:hip ratio, basal lipid concentrations, and blood pressure; and a lifestyle questionnaire. SETTING--Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. SUBJECTS--All adults aged 25-74 years residing in geographically defined clusters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Age standardised prevalence of categorical disease and risk factor conditions and mean levels and frequency distributions of continuous variables. RESULTS--Response rates were 86.2% (5080/5892) in 1987 and 89.5% (5162/5770) in 1992. Significant decreases were found in the prevalence of hypertension (15.0% to 12.1% in men and 12.4% to 10.9% in women); cigarette smoking (58.2% to 47.2% and 6.9% to 3.7% respectively); and heavy alcohol consumption (38.2% to 14.4% and 2.6% to 0.6% respectively). Moderate leisure physical activity increased from 16.9% to 22.1% in men and from 1.3% to 2.7% in women. Mean population serum total cholesterol concentration fell appreciably from 5.5 mmol/l to 4.7 mmol/l (P < 0.001). The prevalence of overweight or obesity increased, and the rates of glucose intolerance changed little. The population frequency distributions of blood pressure, serum lipid concentration, and a composite risk factor score shifted advantageously. CONCLUSIONS--Lifestyle intervention projects can be implemented and have positive effects in developing countries. A pronounced improvement in the population lipid profile in Mauritius was probably related to a change in the saturated fat content of a widely used cooking oil.

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Selected References

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